SEGAMAT: The Malaysian Armed Forces will be buying an additional rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB), and seven-tonne trucks for use during floods, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has approved a one-off allocation of RM10mil to purchase the needed units as part of the ministry's preparation to face non-conventional threats.

“The current boat that is in use is not suitable as the hull is quite big. It cannot enter any flooded areas that are shallower than five metres. We need a RHIB that has a flat hull and can move deep into the housing areas," said Mohamad

“There is also a need to buy seven-tonne trucks as they can move into cut-off areas that light vehicles cannot enter,” he said at a press conference after visiting flood victims at SK Abdul Rahman here on Saturday (March 4).

Mohamad added that the ministry needs to change its strategy so that it can provide efficient rescue operations when needed.

“We need to prepare and complete our assets in order to face non-conventional threats such as climate change," he said.

“We even deployed assets from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) for the first time, which we don't usually do, but due to the severity of the flood situation in Johor, we did,” he added.

Mohamad then said that 1,500 military personnel have been deployed to be part of the rescue operation.

He added that the Armed Forces are currently finalising the details of the needed unit before the ministry can proceed with the procurement of the assets.

Mohamad said that all flood-prone states would get the boats, adding that this includes Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Negri Sembilan.

“We will place all of these assets at the brigade command centre so that it can be easily deployed when needed. For example, the Third Malaysian Infantry Division in Gemas is in charge of Johor, Negri Sembilan, and Melaka,” he said.